I have both the HP-3 and Aiva and they are two of my favorite headphones along with my LCD-2C.
They really compliment each other very well with the HP-3 being the warmer bassy (yet still with great detail) headphone and the Aiva being the brighter more energetic one. Depending on your setup the Aiva can sound a bit to hot from time to time but when you find the right combo they sound great.
If I had to pick just one it would be the HP-3 because it is the total package with great sound and build quality plus you get 2 nice cables, a nice metal stand and the box is second to none. I also feel like it is the best sounding of my headphones though itās close between all three of my favs.
While obviously in different tiers, how would everyone compare the sound signature of the HP-3 to other āfunā dynamics like the X2HR or Nighthawk? Donāt think iāll be getting rid of my Nighthawks, but if itād be a somewhat direct upgrade to the X2HR and i can still get them for $699, i may grab 'em. Iām interested in the ZMF stuff for similar reasons, but itās harder to justify if these are close enough and half the price of most ZMFā¦even used.
Just got them. Iām holding official impressions for a bit butā¦ flat out they do not sound or feel like a $1200 headphone. But OH BOY do they look it. Without giving much critical listening, think leather bound kph30ās. Like I said, really early with these headphones, amp needs: not really needing an amp. RNHP is overkill for these headphones are are on par with the sensitivity of my LCD X.
Interesting they sound similar to the kph30s. I saw the deal and was interested but passed. Kinda glad I did because Iām not a fan of the kph30i. Iām glad you like them tho.
Initial impressions. I didnāt A/B the KPH30ās and I canāt stress this enough. No break in, not actually critically listening. I will say for watching videos and listening poorly mastered music/youtube garbageā¦ they sound pretty enjoyable. My initial thoughts are āIf you donāt have an amp and want to up your gear, they aināt bad.ā
I like my HP3s so far but I found them overly bright with my preferred tubes. I had to find something a bit more neutral to get me to like them. Not sure I like them better than the LCDX/3s but they are a nice change and considerably lighter.
FYI, after having these headphones for a weekā¦ the left cup already fell off despite being gently used. Iām waiting feedback from the vendor for the next step forward.
I will say after about 30 hours+ of use, the headphones were really growing on me and just enjoyable for classical or EDM. I think if you want a taste of a higher end headphone but all you have is a Dragonfly or Fiio amp/dacā¦ this would make a pretty nice headphone to pair with lower powered units. I stand by the fact I swear these headphones sound like an expensive Koss kph30. So if youāre looking for a headphone to kick it up a notch, donāt have a powerful amp, love your kph30ās but want want something with build quality you canāt really go wrong with the HP-3.
